Auto-airplane-tent-cushion inflatable protection cover

ABSTRACT

A lightweight, portable, inflatable cover to protect a vehicle from the elements that can dent and damage a vehicle surface, a tent for summer camping or winter ice fishing a cover or cushion to protect items in transit. Having a multitude of air chambers ( 26 ) vertical walls adhered to a top layer and a bottom layer with openings ( 28 ) in inner vertical walls allowing air to pass through openings filling air chambers as cover is inflated. An air valve stem ( 46 ) an air release screw in plug ( 32 ) to inflate and deflate cover. Elastic opening for antenna ( 40 ), grasp handles ( 42 ), reflector strips for safety with a identification name or number ( 22 ). Doors or flaps ( 11 ) with large zippers ( 20 ), and clear inserts ( 48 ). A cord ( 18 ) and locking pulley ( 16 ) to secure cover to vehicle and grommets ( 36 ). Air vents covered with breathable material ( 25 ) prevents air lifting, and circulation of air keeps interior of vehicle cooler in the summer and air vents are insulated for winter. The cover, tent, and cushion are easy and quick to set up and take down, and repairing a tear or hole is done with a peal and stick patch and a can of spray sealer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Provisional patent Application Ser. No. 60/273450 filed Mar. 5,2001.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The auto or vehicle covers on the market today are made to keepdust, rain, and sun off auto surface. Though these covers have multilayers these covers are not inflatable, there is no cushion or barrierconstructed in the cover to protect the vehicle from the elements suchas hail and debris that can dent and damage vehicle surface. Thesecovers have elastic around the bottoms and would not hold the coversecure in a wind and hail storm. These covers do not have reflectorstrips with a identification name or number or reflective material towarn other drivers during a heavy rain or hail storm that there is anauto parked to avoid a collision either in a parking area or on theroad. The present covers do not have openings or flaps on the sidesadjacent to the doors for easy reentry into the auto, airplane orvehicle, or vents to allow air to pass out through cover to prevent airlifting and to allow circulation of air under the cover to keep vehicleinterior cooler in the summer or by covering vents and or insertinginsulation in vents for a winter cover. The present covers do not havean inflation or deflation mechanism, grasp handles, or clear vinylinserts adjacent to windows allowing one to see outside vehicle.

[0005] The airplane covers on the market today are made to keep the sunfrom heating the cabin interior and frost or ice off the windows andwings. These covers do not protect the airplane from the elements suchas hail, debris that can dent and damage vehicle surface. The covers onthe market today fit close to airplane body and do not allow air tocirculate around exterior to keep cabin cooler.

[0006] The tents on the market today are not inflatable and do not havea barrier of air for comfort and protection. They are not used for icefishing and are not as quick to set up as an inflatable tent.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention relates to a type of cushion cover that isportable, inflatable, light weight can be made as a protection cover forauto, airplanes or any vehicle from the elements, or formed in the shapeof a camping tent, or as a winter ice fishing tent, or a cover orcushion to reduce jarring, bumping and banging and the elements foritems in transit, providing a barrier of air with in the cover. Aportable, light weight, inflatable body with multitude of air chambers,solid outer wall, with inner vertical walls with air flow holes,sandwiched between a top layer and a bottom layer, air flow holes allowair to flow through chambers inflating air chambers conforming to apredetermined shape of the outer surface of a vehicle, a shape of a tentor a cushion or any shape desired.

[0008] An air valve stem adhered to air chambers, housed in a pocket andis connected to a compressor or pump that plugs into a cigarettelighter, an air pressure tank or an air hand pump or air hose to inflatecover. The pump is reversed to deflate cover or an air release screw inplugs can be used to deflate cover.

[0009] Openings or flaps forming doors, zippers and or snaps and eyesinlayed and adhered to opening or flap to secure opening or flap tocover, allowing reentry into vehicle, clear vinyl inserts adhered toflap or opening adjacent windows. A cord incased in the skirt or bottomof the cover is attached to a locking pulley or ratchet type device totighten bottom skirt around and under bottom edge of auto, airplane orvehicle, securing cover to vehicle, grommets adhered on sides of coverfor an additional tie down such as a tarp strap, bunge cord, ratchet andcord, and or cable and lock.

[0010] Pockets for side mirrors and hood ornament, grasp handles foreasy handling and elastic opening for an antenna, elastic can beinserted on side comers for ease in adjusting cover over vehicle, andreflector strips for safety with a identification name or number and orreflective material.

[0011] Air vents to prevent vehicle cover from air lifting and allowingair to circulate under the cover keeping vehicle or airplane interiorcooler inside during the summer. Flaps or cover can be attached overvents and vents have a zip lock opening on the underside for insertionof insulation for winter to keep out snow and frost and wind.

[0012] The tents is made the same as the cover for vehicles, except thetent has a flat sheet of material for the floor with a flap that coversa hole for ice fishing and the air vents have a closeable awning typecover on the outside. It can be made large enough to accommodate morethan one person and a dog.

[0013] This cover can be used as an emergency storm cover or as apermanent protection cover from the elements. It can be made as a fullcover or partial cover or as a canopy. This cover is quick and easy setup and take down and repair are made with a peel and stick patch andspray sealer. The cover can be sprayed on the outer surface and undersurface with a preserver to keep the polymer soft and pliable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0014] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same numbersbut different alphabetic suffixes.

[0015]FIGS. 1A to 1C shows various aspects of a cross section, side andfront view of the inflated cover on an auto, air valve stem pocket withair valve stem coiled up inside pocket, hood ornament pocket, screw inair release plug, air vents, zippers around doors, reflector strips witha identification name or number, skirt with cord and locking pulley,grasp handles, grommet holes, pocket for mirrors, elastic casing forantenna, elastic inserts on side corners, snaps and eyes, with velcroedflaps for front closures.

[0016] FIGS. 2 shows various aspects of a closure with locking pulley,cord, snaps and eyes, velcroed flaps of an opening in the inflatedprotection cover.

[0017]FIG. 3 shows an outer surface with air vents, and an elasticantenna opening.

[0018]FIG. 4A show inflated air chambers with an air valve stem, and anair release screw in plug.

[0019]FIGS. 4B to 4G shows exploded view of air chambers, with air flowholes, chambers with various degrees of angles forming corners, an airvent with double and triple layer of breathable material with zip lockopenings on one end and noninflatable chambers.

[0020]FIGS. 5A to 5F shows various aspects of a side, front and reartail section, cross section of inflated cover on an airplane with airvalve stem pocket, snaps and eyes, velcroed flaps for closures, cord andlocking pulley located in the front and under each wing and stabilizer,screw in air release plugs, and air vents, and grommets, grasp handlesand reflector strips with a identification name or number.

[0021]FIG. 6 shows various aspects of a closure, a cord with snap andeye attached to adjoining ends, snap and eyes, and velcroed flaps.

[0022]FIG. 7 shows various aspects of an inflatable tent with a zipperaround door, clear vinyl window, vents with closeable covers on sides,an air valve stem pocket, air release screw in plugs, and grasp handlesand reflector strips with a identification name or number.

[0023]FIG. 8 shows various aspects of a cross section and in side of theinflatable tent with air vents on sides and back, grasp handles, airvalve stem pocket, air valve stem coiled up inside pocket, air releasescrew in plug, and snap together ridged frame.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0024] 11 flaps or doors 26 air chamber 12 pocket housing air valve stem27 elastic inserts 13 non inflatable inserts 28 air flow opening 14skirt 30 air valve stem hose 14a skirt hanging loose 32 screw-in plug14b skirt casing 34 outer-surface 16 locking pulley 36 grommet 18 cord37 support connection 19 zip lock opening 38 mirror pocket 20 largezipper 40 elastic insert for antenna 21 snap 41 eye 22 reflector stripsand ID name or number 42 grasp handle 23 hood ornament pocket 44velcroed flap 24 cover 46 air valve stem 25 air vent 48 clear insert 49ridged frame

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] This is a versatile cover or cushion that is portable,inflatable, light weight, and easy to use. This inflatable cover can bemade into the shape of an inflated cover for the protection of theelements for any vehicle FIGS. 1A to 1C, or an inflatable camping tentFIG. 7 and 8, an inflatable cover cushion used to protect items intransit, and an inflatable ice fishing tent FIGS. 7 and 8. The cushionof air cover consisting of material of a light weight polymer such asvinyl to neoprene coated nylon that is impact-resistant to with-standthe elements such as hail, and debris, bumps, banging and jarring, heator cold. Vertical walls adhere to horizontal layers a top layer and abottom layer forming air chambers FIGS. 4A to 4G, an approximate sizeranging from one centimeters to fifteen centimeters high and twocentimeters to 20 centimeters wide and two centimeters to 30 centimeterslong or what ever size or shape needed to form the shape desired. Theair chambers being of different degrees of angle and size withpredetermined openings 28 approximate size of the opening 10 percent to80 percent of the inner vertical wall to allow air flow through-out,filling and inflating chambers with air conforming to a vehicle bodyFIGS. 1A to 1C or a tent FIGS. 7 and 8 or a flat cushion FIG. 4A or anyshape desired. A noninflatable chamber 13 may be incorporated in cover.

[0026] The vehicle cover with a skirt 14 is attached at the bottom edgeof the cover approximately thirty centimeters to sixty centimeters widewith a casing 14 b five to ten centimeters wide at the bottom of theskirt 14 to encase a round cord 18 attached to a locking pulley FIG. 2or flat cord attached to a ratchet type device to tighten and hold thecord tight around and under bottom edge of vehicle.

[0027] Located on the front and top of the cover placed on the hood is aair valve stem pocket 12 with a snap or hook or with velcro to securecover to pocket containing a coiled up hose 30 with an air valve stem 46on the end, the hose approximate length from three centimeters to onehundred twenty centimeters long depending on where the air valve stem isplaced in the cover, if on top of the hood of an auto or on a largerairplane a longer air valve stem hose 30 is needed. If the cover is madewith the air valve stem placed on the side and front on the drivers sidea shorter hose can be used. Placing the air valve stem on the hood whenair is expelled into the cover will help the cover unroll and it is easyto pull out the sides as the cover inflates. If the air valve stem isplaced on the drivers side front, you will have to pull out the frontand side of the cover to locate the air valve stem pocket. An air valvestem 46 is used with an air pressure tank or a hand air pump, an aircompressor or pump that plugs into a cigarette lighter or an air hose.The pump is used in reversed to deflate cover, or an air release screwin plugs 32 located in front can be used to deflate cover.

[0028] A pocket for a hood ornament 23 pockets for side mirrors 38 grasphandles 42 attached on the top surface of the cover for easy handling ofthe vehicle cover. Elastic opening for antenna 40 constructed with asolid vertical wall between chambers, elastic material adhered toadjoining sides outer-surface and under-surface, with elastic enclosedaround antenna and reflective stripes on each side, front, and back forsafety with identification name or number to locate your own vehicle.

[0029] An opening in vehicle cover in front FIG. 1C or back or side ofvehicle to allow ease of installing cover on a vehicle having underflaps over lapping, snaps and eyes or hooks, and velcroed outer flapsover lapping FIG. 2 with a cord and tightening device such as a lockingpulley. Elastic insert on each corner and front can be used instead ofsnaps and eyes. Air vents, FIG. 3 corresponding to and adjacent to achamber wall with a solid vertical wall between air chambers, abreathable material covering air vents on the outer-surface andunder-surface and or additional layers of breathable material inside airvent opening FIG. 4E to prevent the elements such as hail and debrisfrom entering through vent that would dent or damage vehicle and to keepthe elements out, yet allowing air to pass in or out through air ventsfrom under said cover. Placing air vent openings strategicallythrough-out cover to prevent said cover from air lifting, andcirculation of air through air vents would keep interior cooler in thesummer. A flap or cover can be attached to cover air vents for winteruses or insulation can be inserted inside air vents FIG. 4E through azip lock opening 19 inside cover. This cover can be used as a protectioncover in transit.

[0030] The cover for an airplane 5A to 5C is constructed and operatedthe same as the auto inclusive of all parts and procedures 1 through 48with the exception the cover and cord must be hooked together next tobody under each wing and stabilizer FIG. 5A, also each wing 5C andstabilizer 5B has its own cord and locking pulley to tighten skirt andgrommets used with bunge cords or tarp straps to secure cover. Thiscover can be made in one unit or made in sections with its own air valvestem to inflate and deflate cover or use screw in plug to deflate coverand attachments to join and connect sections together.

[0031] For the airplane a separate locking pulley 16 located on eachwing to tighten the skirt under the wing section. Snaps 21 and eyes 41or hooks, or straps with buckles can be used, velcroed flaps, located inthe front or nose of airplane and under each wing securing cover openingtogether and snap and eye to hook cord together. Air vents, slits oropenings 25 strategically placed in the cover preventing it from airlifting and allows air to circulate to keep interior of the cabincooler, for winter use it is the same as for autos the vents areinsulated and or an attachable cover is used to keep snow and frost outand interior warmer. The air valve stem pocket 12 with air valve stem 46is located on the front and side on an airplane for convenience. Thiscover can be custom made to individual needs or desires placing the airvalve stem hose pocket and air release screw in plugs where ever itwould work best for each type of airplane.

[0032] A closure FIG. 6 with eyes and snaps or hooks attached toadjoining ends of exposed cord to reattach cord together, snap and eyesabove and under velcroed flaps is used in back of the airplane and underthe wings and stabilizers to attach cover and cord together so the skirtcan be tightened around the bottom of the airplane. Grommets located onthe lower edge of the cover, and sides of the airplane to attach bungecords or tarp straps or cord and ratchet to grommet holes on one side ofthe airplane and brought under the airplane and attached to the grommetson the opposite side of the airplane to help secure cover to theairplane and grommets located on the cover on the wings and stabilizersare used with bunge cords or tarp straps. This cover can be made inseparate sections with separate air valve stem and air release screw inplug, locking pulley, grommets, and snaps and eyes, each section can beattached to adjoining section. This cover can be used as a protectioncover for airplanes or any vehicle in transit.

[0033] The inflated ice fishing-camping tent FIGS. 7 and 8 shows azipper 20 or snaps and eyes or hooks can be used to secure the door 11to the tent, flexible clear inserts 48 for a window, side air vents 25with flaps or covers out side 24 air valve stem pocket 12 with an airvalve stem hose 30 coiled up inside to inflate and deflate cover, airrelease screw in plugs 32 and grasp handles 42. Inside a ridged snaptogether frame 49 is used to help support the tent and a mat can be usedunder the flooring material, next to the ground and on top of theflooring material to protect the floor from tears and holes. The cushioncan be inflated and used to lay on inside the tent. Reflector stripswith a identification name or number adhered on the sides for locatingyour own tent. This tent is fast and easy to set up and take down, it iswarmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

[0034] The ice fishing-camping tent FIGS. 7 and 8 would have vents witha closeable flap or covers over the out side to prevent the elementsfrom coming back into the tent. A larger camping tent would have morevents with a closeable outer flap or covers that can be tied shut orsnapped shut with velcro to help secure the cover or flap down to thetent, or the vents can be open to allow air to circulate on hot days andclosed on cold or rainy days to keep heat inside and the elements out ofinterior. For winter uses and ice fishing the vents have a zip lockopening on the inside to insert insulation in the vents to keep tentwarmer inside.

[0035] The cover cushion is made the same as the cover and tent. It canbe made into any shape desired as a covering over, under, around anyitem or vehicle in transit.

[0036] Because my inflatable protection cover is also light andportable, one must get it out of the trunk, or compartment where ever itis stored and place it on the hood or top of the auto or airplane or canbe left on the ground. Arrows on the rolled up cover shows whichdirection to place it on the hood and arrows showing the direction thecover will unroll. Unroll the cover either on the ground or on the hooda few feet towards the back of the auto or airplane or vehicle. Thescrew in air release plug 32 should be screwed in tight. Locate airvalve stem pocket 12 open the cover take out the air valve stem 46connect air inflation hose from air pressure tank, hand pump, or an aircompressor or pump that is plugged into the cigarette lighter, or an airhose, to the air valve stem and release air into the cover to startcover to unroll. Unroll cover pulling sides out, locate brightly coloredelastic opening 17 for antenna, open elastic and slip antenna outthrough opening, elastic will close together around antenna, continue topull sides down and around auto or airplane or vehicle body placepockets 38 over mirrors. Taking hold of the grasp handles 42 to adjustcover over the top of auto or airplane. Close all openings in front ofauto or airplane with snaps into eyes or hooks, close velcroed flaps.With the skirt 14 a hanging down towards the ground, go to the lockingpulley 16 or ratchet and cord 18 unhook the loose end of the cord 18from above snap, thread through the locking pulley mechanism. Pullingthe cord tight thus tightening the cord and pulling the skirt in,around, and underneath edge of the auto or airplane or vehicle. Set thelock on the locking pulley and tie up the cord end to it self next toskirt in a knot for added security.

[0037] For airplanes hook snaps and eyes on cord ends together front,sides and tail close opening, hooking all snaps and eyes. Locate lockingpulley in front and underneath the wings FIG. 9, and stabilizers FIG. 5Btighten and lock locking pulley. Air release screw in plugs should bescrewed in tight. Proceed to the front or side of auto and side onairplane and continue to expel air through the air valve stem 46 intothe cover, by means of an air pressure tank, an hand air pump or a aircompressor or pump that you can plug into the cigarette lighter of thevehicle or air hose and inflate cover completely. Rubber tarp strap orbunge cords, or cord and ratchet can be used to connect grommet on oneside of vehicle, underneath and attach to grommets on the opposite sidefor an additional tie down to secure cover to vehicle or use as asecurity cable and lock. Large zipper 20 or snaps and eyes or hooks canbe used to secure flap or door to cover located around and adjacent tovehicle doors. This door or opening can be used to reenter auto orairplane or vehicle. Once in side vehicle open door or window enough totake hold of the zipper tab and zip flap shut as far as possible andhook snap and eye to hold flap shut.

[0038] When the hail storm has passed by, you may remove hail protectioncover by reversing the compressor or pump to deflate cover completely,or unscrew the air release screw in plug 32 deflating the cover. Nextuntie cord 18 unlock locking pulley 16, unhook all snaps and eyes, hookcord snap and eye to above snap and eye to keep cord from sliding backin to casing, loosen skirt completely. Go to antenna, open elastic 40bringing side up, take antenna out of opening. Take hold of the grasphandles 42 on top of the cover and pull cover off of auto or airplane orvehicle. Laying the cover under side up on the ground folding sides tocenter pushing air out as you fold and rolling the cover up from back tofront, this also pushes the rest of the air out through front airrelease hole. Replace screw in plug, place air valve stem back inpocket, roll cover up and secure with elastic bands around rolled upcover and place in carrying bag. Return to trunk or compartment ready touse for another time.

[0039] This cover may be used as an all year protection cover over autoor airplane or any vehicle keeping interior of vehicle cool in thesummer and protected in the winter. A partial cover can be used overairplane cabin area only to keep cabin interior cool. This cover can beused as a protection cover for airplanes or any vehicle in transit

[0040] Accordingly, the reader will see that the inflated protectioncover of this invention, can be put on an auto or airplane or anyvehicle by most anyone, because it is light weight, easy to handle,having simple directions and easy to use. Partial inflation of the coverhelps the cover quickly unroll and unfold conforming to vehicle bodymaking it easy to handle and cover any vehicle.

[0041] This cover can be made of a light weight polymer such a vinyl ora vinyl with fibers incorporated or neoprene coated nylon. This covercan be made into a general shape for each type of vehicle body, airplanebody, tent, or cushion or custom made for each type of vehicle body,airplane body, tent, or cushion.

[0042] This cover when formed into a tent is easy and quick to set upand take down. The inflation process is the same as for the vehiclecover. Just inflate and set up right, screw or snap together a ridgedframe 49 inside the tent for extra support. The tent has inflatable airchambers on top, and around the sides and is adhered to a flat sheet ofmaterial forming the floor with a flap that can be opened for icefishing. A pad or mat can be placed under the floor sheet on the groundand on top of the floor sheet to protect the flooring from tears andkeep out moisture from the ground. A hole must be made in the pads forice fishing. A clear or tinted, flexible vinyl inserts 48 can be adheredand inserted in the door, or sides or on top of the tent as a sky lightto allow light to enter the tent.

[0043] For ice fishing tents the vents are filled with insulation tokeep the cold wind and snow out providing a warmer tent for winter uses.A flap in the floor is provided in the floor of the tent that can beopened over the hole in the ice for fishing.

[0044] Repairs are easy and quick, just apply a peal and stick on patchand spray with a sealer. A spray on preserver applied to the outersurface and under surface of the cover to keep it soft, and pliable.Covers, tents, and cushions can be made with different color combinationand designs.

What I claim as my invention is:
 1. A cover comprising of a type ofstructure that has a portable, inflatable body of material having solidvertical walls, and enclosed vertical walls with opening in innervertical walls sandwiched between an outer surface and an under surfaceforming a multitude of predetermined air chambers and predeterminedinserts, openings and attachments, forming a predetermined design orshape of sufficient size to accommodate use by a human being, mass,animal or vehicle.
 2. The cover of claim 1 further including meansdevice to inflate or deflate said air chambers of said cover.
 3. Thecover of claim 2 wherein a means device such as an air valve stemadhered to said cover and housed in a pocket whereby inflating ordeflating said air chamber connected to a pump that is plugged into acigarette lighter to inflate said chambers and said pump reversed todeflate said cover or said air valve stem connected to an air pressuretank, or hand pump to inflate said cover.
 4. The cover of claim 1further including means device such as a plug to release or contain airin said cover.
 5. The cover of claim 1 further including means openingsuch as a flap or door whereby a human, animal or mass may access. 6.The cover of claim 5 wherein a means device for securing a flap or doorto said cover such as a zipper.
 7. The cover of claim 1 furtherincluding means material whereby to alert, identify and characterizesaid cover such as reflector strips, name, number, color and designs. 8.The cover of claim 1 further including means grasp handles attached tosaid cover whereby ease of handling or moving said cover.
 9. The coverof claim 1 means openings such as an air vent having solid verticalwalls adjoining air chambers covered with a breathable material withpredetermined layers on the outer surface and under surface, andunderside of said air vent have zip lock openings wherein said air ventallows air to pass out through said cover preventing said cover from airlifting and the elements such as hail, and debris from entering said airvent and coming in contact with vehicle, mass, human being or animal.10. The cover of claim 1 further including means device to secure saidcover to said vehicle or mass.
 11. The cover of claim 10 wherein adevice such as a locking pulley with a cord attached encased in saidcover whereby to secure cover to said vehicle or mass.
 12. The cover ofclaim 1 further includes means elastic material to accommodate antennasand comers of said cover.
 13. The cover of claim 1 further includesmeans closures such as snaps, eyes, velcro to secure openings in saidcover.
 14. The cover of claim 1 further includes predetermined shapesuch as a tent or structure whereby a human being, animal or mass mayinhabit or use.
 15. The cover of claim 14 means device such as a ridgedframe wherein to further support said structure.